(July 28, 2015) On July 21, 2015, the trial of the former President of Chad, Hissène Habré, before the Extraordinary African Chambers (EAC) in Dakar, Senegal, was adjourned to September 7, 2015. (Diadie Ba, Trial of Chad’s Habre Suspended After Boycott by His Lawyers, REUTERS (July 21, 2015).) Habré had to be forced to appear […]

Topic: Crimes against humanity, International affairs, Judiciary, Torture, War crimes

(July 21, 2015) On July 20, 2015, the trial of former Chadian President Hissène Habré before the Extraordinary African Chambers (EAC) opened in Dakar, Senegal. He is facing accusations of crimes against humanity, torture, and war crimes. Habré denies being responsible for the thousands of deaths and the systematic torture that allegedly occurred during his […]

Topic: Crimes against humanity, International affairs, Judiciary, Torture, War crimes

(Feb. 25, 2010) Uganda recently became the first nation to ratify the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (the Kampala Convention). The agreement was signed in Kampala, Uganda, on Oct. 22, 2009. (African Union website, http://www.africa-union.org/root/ar/index/AU-IDP%20Convention%20-%20Assembly%20-%20Final%20-%2010.23%20pm%2023%20Oct.doc (last visited Feb. 22, 2010).) The treaty will become effective once 15 of […]

(Feb. 16, 2010) It was reported on February 3, 2010, that the African Union (AU) is seeking to amend the Rome Statute of 1998, which currently reserves the power to suspend investigation or prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the United Nations Security Council, in favor of extending the same mandate to the […]

(Nov. 6, 2009) It was reported on October 29, 2009, that the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council summit endorsed the AU Panel on Darfur (AUPD)'s proposal for the creation of a special court to try the perpetrators of crimes committed in Darfur. The court would have Sudanese judges, as well as non-Sudanese judges […]

(Oct. 27, 2009) On October 23, 2009, a new treaty was endorsed at a special summit of African Union heads of state, held in Kampala, Uganda. The treaty concerns the protection and treatment of internally displaced persons, and it will become effective once 15 nations ratify the document. (UN Human Rights Chief Hails New Pact […]